German dictionary: Medical terms in German

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Feeling a little under the weather? Here's our guide to the most useful German medical terms to help you when you visit the doctor in Germany.

The reception counter is often the most daunting feature of a visit to a medical professional in Germany. Most of the doctors seem to have an excellent knowledge of basic medical vocabulary in English but some help from the patient can help communication.

You may also observe the custom of the almost obligatory 'guten tag!' as you enter the waiting room. No particular response is to be expected but one feels more at ease having participated in a local German custom.

Here are a few medical terms in German which may be useful when you visit the doctor.

German medical terms

Antibiotics: Antibiotika

Ambulance: Der Krankenwagen

Backache: Die Rueckenschmerzen

Blood test: Eine Blutprobe

Blister, bladder: Die Blase

Blood pressure: Der Blutdruck

Bone: Der Knocken

Breath: Der Atem, (to breathe) atmen

Broken: Gebrochen

Chickenpox: Die Windpocken

Concussion: Die Gehirnerschuetterung

Constipation: Die Verstopfung

Contagious: Ansteckend

Cough: Der Husten

Cold (in the head): Der Schnupfen

Contraceptive: Das Verhuetungsmittel

Diabetic: Der/ Die Diabetiker(in)

Depression: Die Depression

Diarrhoea: Der Durchfall

Dizzy: Schwindlig

Inflamed:Entzuendet

Faint: Schwach

Fever: Das Fieber

Headaches: Die Kopfschmerzen

To become infected: sich entzuenden

Injured: Verletzt

Insulin: Das Insulin

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF): In Vitro Fertilization

Joint: Das Gelenk

Migraine: Die Migrane

Muscle: Der Muskel

Muscle pains: Die Muskelschmerzen

Nauseous: Uebel

Nurse: Die Krankenschwester

Pain: Der Schmerz

Pregnant: Schwanger

Prescription: Das Rezept

Unconscious: Bewusstlos

Vomit: Das Erbrechen

Weak: Schwach

Useful medical expressions in German

To have a heart condition: Ein herzleiden haben

To have a fall: hinfallen

Are you allergic to anything? Sind sie gegen irgendetwas allergisch?

Where does it hurt? Wo tut es weh?

Cough, please: Husten sie bitte

Open your mouth: Machensie den mund auf

I'm feeling really unwell: Ich fuehle mich echt mies

To have heartburn: Sodbrennen haben

To suffer from insomnia: Unter schlafloesigkeit leiden

I feel dizzy: Mir ist schwindlig

I am going to prescribe: Ich verschreibe ihnen.......

German body parts: Where does it hurt?

Leg: Das Bein

Arm: Der Arm

Hand: Die Hand

Skin: Die Haut

Foot: Der Fuss

Head: Der Kopf

Back:Der Ruecken

Stomach: Der Magen

Bottom: Der Hintern

Elbow: Der Ellbogen

Neck: Der Hals

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